Switch to less polluting cars could save UK firms £3bn a year

UK companies could save £3bn annually by switching to greener company cars, new research has suggested.

A survey of 400 board-level executives, by environmental organisation Energy Saving Trust, found that 55% of respondents were encouraged by their employer to try to reduce their carbon emissions from business travel.

A reduction in transport emissions from UK company cars used on company business of around 1.9 million tonnes per year.

The report found that such changes would see a reduction in UK carbon emissions of around 4.9 million tonnes a year.

Phil Day, head of HR at the Energy Saving Trust said giving staff the option of choosing a vehicle that emits less carbon dioxide sent out a strong message, both internally and externally, about a company’s environmental awareness.

“Offering choice sends a strong message to staff about the values of the organisation and so has a positive impact on how they perceive you as an employer – whether they decide to choose a more sustainable vehicle or not,” he said.